News and press
- May
- (11 May) MMO shares expertise at the World Fisheries Congress
Representatives from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have been sharing their knowledge at the World Fisheries Congress. Alistair McDonnell, Head of the MMO’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Team and Dr Melanie Austen, the MMO’s Chief Scientific Advisor, are two of the panel members at the event, taking place in Edinburgh from 7 to 11 May 2012. - (8 May) Clear indications that climate change is affecting fish stocks
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) launched its latest Report Card today at the World Fisheries Congress in Edinburgh. It focuses on how climate change is affecting the fish and shellfish we find in our seas, providing both opportunities and threats, and what the social and economic consequences could be.
More information from the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership press release (PDF 87 KB) and 12-page summary report card (PDF 2.2 MB) - (4 May) Master fined for landing species from closed fishery
The owner, Christopher Charles Dyer, and master, Adrian Russell Buckley, of the Emma Raitch (LT442), pleaded guilty after failing to comply with a licence condition by landing a species for which the fishery was closed at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court on 3 May 2012. - April
- (30 April) Announcement on Port of Southampton development
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has today (30 April) announced it has approved licences for ABP Southampton for works and associated dredging at berths 201 and 202 at the port of Southampton. - (20 April) Extended transition period for low risk dredging activities
The UK Government has decided to extend the current one year transition period for low risk maintenance dredging activities for a further two years in respect of English waters. - (16 April) Opportunities to influence the management of England's inshore fisheries
People interested in influencing the management of inshore fisheries around the Eastern, North Eastern, Kent and Essex, North Western and Isles of Scilly are being encouraged to apply to join the regions' inshore fisheries and conservation authorities (IFCAs). - (10 April) Discards reduced through catch quota trial
A report released today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) reveals catch quota trials have significantly helped to reduce the amount of fish being thrown away at sea.
The MMO is operating the trials on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the UK’s initiative to tackle the problem of discarding fish – where dead fish are thrown away at sea if fishermen have no quota left for a particular species. - (5 April) New arrangements for issuing vessel licence variations
We are changing the way we notify licence holders or nominees about variations to any part of your fishing vessel licence (conditions, schedule and annexe to a schedule).
Under the Sea Fishing (Licence and Notices) (England) Regulations 2012 that came into force on 6 April 2012, variations will only be available on our website and will no longer be sent out by letter to licence holders or nominees. - March
- (30 March) New marine plan areas to be announced this summer
We are pleased to announce that the next marine plan areas will be confirmed in July 2012, as work on the current plan areas continues. - (19 March) Groups begin £7.3 million work to develop fisheries communities
Multi-million pound plans to develop more sustainable fishing communities in England are now underway in six areas around the coast.
The work, funded through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) Axis 4 scheme, is being carried out by fisheries local action groups (FLAGs) which have started work in North and West Cumbria, North Norfolk, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hastings, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and North Devon since late autumn 2011. - (16 March) Advice on angel sharks issued
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), in conjunction with the Shark Trust, has published guidance for the fishing industry around the catching of a rare species of shark.
Angel sharks are not often seen in our waters. Because they spend much of their time lying motionless on the bottom, partially buried in sediment, they are particularly susceptible to bycatch in trawls. In 2006 they were declared extinct in the North Sea and are considered very rare around our Western Waters. - (14 March) Owner and master fined for technical conservation offences
- (12 March) Breaking licence condition costs skipper and owner
- (12 March) Illegal fishing in Lyme Bay protected area (Press release 03/11)
- (9 March) Opportunities to influence the management of England's inshore fisheries
People interested in influencing the management of inshore fisheries around the North Western and Isles of Scilly are being encouraged to apply to join the regions' inshore fisheries and conservation authorities (IFCAs). - (6 March) Emergency licence granted for removal of whale
The Marine Management Organisation yesterday (Monday 5 March) granted an emergency licence to allow the removal of a dead sperm whale from Skegness beach in Lincolnshire. - (2 March) Illegal dumping of toxic silt in Falmouth conservation area costs company director £69,000 (Press release 02/11)
- February
- (24 February) Defra plans the realignment of unused quota
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wrote to all producer organisations on 10 February 2012 informing them of the proposal to undertake a permanent realignment of fixed quota allocations (FQAs) associated with consistently underused quota. - (17 February) MMO opens its annual customer satisfaction survey – share your views
As part of the Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) commitment to exceptional customer service, the MMO has today launched its second annual customer satisfaction survey. - (7 February) Funding available for safety stop valves
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed that grants may be available through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in England towards fitting safety stop valves on fishing vessels. - (1 February) Local sessions announced – have your say on future of our seas (Press release 01/11)
As the East of England leads the way with the UK’s first marine plans, public drop-in sessions are being held along the coast to make sure residents are fully involved.
A total of 12 sessions are being held in February – from Aldeburgh and Great Yarmouth to Hull and Bridlington – and a session is being held near you. - January
- (30 January) Funding bids invited for fisheries research
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is inviting people with ideas to improve fisheries management to bid for funding towards their research.
Through the Fisheries Challenge Fund (FCF) funding is available to enable fishermen and other interested parties to get involved in research projects looking at fisheries management issues. - (26 January) Cod VIIb-k monthly catch limits
During the South West Quota Advisory Group meeting that was held in December 2011 a monthly catch limit plan was discussed for cod VIIb-k for the under 10 metre pool. - (19 January) Marine planning drop-in events
The Marine Management Organisation is currently planning for future marine activities in the East Inshore and East Offshore marine plan areas, and we are inviting anyone with an interest in the future of our seas to come along to our public drop-in sessions.
We are holding 12 public sessions along the East coast of England in February to explain what marine planning is, and what it means to coastal communities. Any individuals, marine groups or networks in the plan area are welcome, and can drop in to make sure their views are heard. From residents who enjoy a walk on the beach to keen sailors and anglers, we would like to hear from as many people as possible. - (18 January) Master and owner fined for twine thickness offences
- (18 January) Under 10 metre monthly catch limits consultation results (cod VIId)
We have collected and reviewed the results from the under 10 metre quota needs and stocks survey – many thanks to everyone who completed it. A summary will be available on our website before the end of January.
We followed suggestions from the survey and the fishing industry to look at the monthly catch limits for cod VIId.
Press office contacts
Marine Management Organisation
PO Box 1275
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 5BN
Tel: 0191 376 2543 (24 hour)
Email: media@
marinemanagement.org.uk
Rachel Forster
Mobile: 07789 272 170
Amy Wardlaw (European Fisheries Fund only)
Tel: 0191 376 2573